Promoting Conscious Water Usage at Universiti Sains Malaysia

In 2024, Universiti Sains Malaysia actively promoted conscious water usage across its campuses through structured initiatives that fostered awareness, accountability, and sustainable behavioural change among students, staff, and the wider university community. These activities align with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and form part of USM’s long-term commitment to responsible resource management and environmental stewardship.

A key highlight of 2024 was the EDU-Sustainability CSR Programme and Water Conservation Campaign, jointly organised by Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP), Water Watch Penang (WWP), and USM at Desasiswa Indah Kembara on 16 December 2024. The programme aimed to raise awareness of water conservation, introduce water-efficient technologies, and encourage sustainable water use among students. Supported by a RM50,000 allocation for water-saving infrastructure, the initiative served as a pilot project under the Desasiswa Hijau (Green Hostel) Programme, engaging over 1,000 residents, including students from the Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES). The event demonstrated USM’s proactive efforts to make water conservation part of everyday campus life through community participation and collaboration with national water authorities.

Complementing this, USM continues to embed water-saving principles in its Green Office Sustainability Audit (Audit Pejabat/Desa Hijau) coordinated by Kampus Sejahtera. The audit includes a dedicated evaluation component on water management and conservation, encouraging each school, centre, and office to reduce wastage, report leaks, and use alternative sources such as rainwater harvesting for non-potable purposes.

To enhance public awareness, USM also disseminates regular educational campaigns and visual materials on responsible water consumption, highlighting practical measures such as closing taps properly, reusing greywater where possible, and promoting efficient sanitation practices.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the existence of continuous and measurable actions to promote conscious water usage on campus. Through education, collaboration, and community participation, USM continues to cultivate a culture of sustainability and responsible water stewardship across all levels of the university.